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General => Technical Help => Topic started by: Roobarb on Sunday 06 January 13 22:24 GMT (UK)
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I'd like to ask some questions that may appear a bit silly, no silly answers please, I can provide them myself! ;)
Do tablet computers operate like my laptop or my smartphone, or a combination of the two? I don't mean the general use of them but in connecting to the internet.
If I use my laptop at home I connect to my own router. If I use it away from home, for instance in a hotel, I use Wifi or BTFon. (Last time I tried to connect to a hotel's Cloud Wifi my computer just wouldn't allow it so ended up using BTFon.) If I'm at home or away my smartphone accesses the internet anyway. (I don't use it for internet when I'm abroad).
If I wanted to use a tablet at home, presumably I'd connect to my router? What if I was away from home, would I use Wifi? And what if I was outdoors and wanted to use a an app, for instance a map with directions that uses GPS?
Does a tablet have a memory card slot? And a USB slot?
Sorry if this sounds stupid but I don't know the answers and if I look up things like this on the internet I sometimes have to trawl through masses of technical stuff to find the answer. I'm sure some Rootschatters will be able to explain in non geek terms. :)
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Not a silly question at all.
Generally speaking there are two types of tablet you can buy, one is wifi only and the other is 3G and needs a data sim card.
The wifi only works the same as your laptop, connects to a router if you have the password but will not connect to the internet outside where there is no wifi router found.
The 3G type of tablet, has a slot which you can insert a data sim and works like your smart phone, hence you can connect anywhere but you do need to pay for the sim data usage either on contract or monthly. If you don't insert a sim card, this type of tablet will then only connect using wifi, same as the wifi only tablet.
The US ipad comes in two versions of 3G, one is verizon (no sim card data but Verizon only connection) and the other type is with sim card but you are limited to certain sim data companies.
As well as the above considerations, tablets come with varing amounts of internal memory. Non apple tablets usually have a memory card slot so that you can add extra memory.
In short, I would advise you to carefully read the technical specifications of any tablet you may be thinking of buying and compare as prices vary greatly depending on the spec.
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Hi
It may help you if you actually write down what you want to do with it [before you buy].
Then list the units you think you like and what they give individually.
Then before you buy, ask this forum.
Ray
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If you google tablet review you will see what is available and what professional reviewers say about them. If you add forum to your search you will see what sort of problems users are having and other comments as there seems to be a forum for everything these days.
Most reviewers have the Nexus 7 and iPad mini at the top of the pile. Both have WiFi and bluetooth, and you can buy 3G versions. You cannot expand the memory on either. The Nexus 7 has a microUSB and the Apple has its own version for which you have get an USB adaptor. I have a 32Gb Nexus 7 with 3G and I am very pleased with it. It has Gorilla glass so can take a knock. It comes with built in GPS based on Google maps. I use it with a sim from Giff Gaff who charge £5 a month for 500mb download (to £12 for 3Gb a month). They use the O2 network and I usually get 2-3Mb download speed even at busy periods. Whereas my Three doogle can drop to half a meg.
I dont have WiFi at home so just leave it on 3G.
Ken
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Thank you for all the advice. Jc26red, thank you for explaining it so clearly. I would probably want 3G - is the SIM a special type or just the same as in a mobile phone? Is it pay as you go available?
I took part in a previous thread about chosing a tablet, I wouldn't want to pay a lot as it would only be for occasional use so I think I can discount the ipad!
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You would need a 3g sim, I've just bought a paygo one from a........n. its a 3 one and cost just over £11 for 3gb of download to be used within 3 months, I can top up online if I need more.
3G tablets do cost more than straightforward wifi ones. Hence i have just bought a mifi dongle which is a transportable router which i can use with my wifi ipad or laptop when out and about.
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I too have been considering replacing my laptop with a tablet and then it dawned on me that with a tablet in my hands I would not be able to write anything down (always making notes). And even if I lay the tablet down I would then be struggling to see the screen.
There are a few tablets around which are multipurpose ie they can also be transformed into a laptop style but I do believe that they are quite expensive.
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Hi I got a sony tablet Christmas 2011, and once I got used to it I was delighted with it. I just have wifi (and blue tooth which I have never used.) I took it away last year in our caravan and used my wifi on one site, the other had a wifi connection so used that. Have also used it in the car (when a passenger) . I like it so much I only use my main computer when I want to use my printer. Only regret it has no usb slot. I find it quite easy to have at my side and write, in fact easier than peering at my main computer
I too have been considering replacing my laptop with a tablet and then it dawned on me that with a tablet in my hands I would not be able to write anything down (always making notes). And even if I lay the tablet down I would then be struggling to see the screen.
There are a few tablets around which are multipurpose ie they can also be transformed into a laptop style but I do believe that they are quite expensive.
I too have been considering replacing my laptop with a tablet and then it dawned on me that with a tablet in my hands I would not be able to write anything down (always making notes). And even if I lay the tablet down I would then be struggling to see the screen.
There are a few tablets around which are multipurpose ie they can also be transformed into a laptop style but I do believe that they are quite expensive.
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Hi I got a sony tablet Christmas 2011, and once I got used to it I was delighted with it. I just have wifi (and blue tooth which I have never used.) I took it away last year in our caravan and used my wifi on one site, the other had a wifi connection so used that. Have also used it in the car (when a passenger) . I like it so much I only use my main computer when I want to use my printer. Only regret it has no usb slot. I find it quite easy to have at my side and write, in fact easier than peering at my main computer
I too have been considering replacing my laptop with a tablet and then it dawned on me that with a tablet in my hands I would not be able to write anything down (always making notes). And even if I lay the tablet down I would then be struggling to see the screen.
There are a few tablets around which are multipurpose ie they can also be transformed into a laptop style but I do believe that they are quite expensive.
I too have been considering replacing my laptop with a tablet and then it dawned on me that with a tablet in my hands I would not be able to write anything down (always making notes). And even if I lay the tablet down I would then be struggling to see the screen.
There are a few tablets around which are multipurpose ie they can also be transformed into a laptop style but I do believe that they are quite expensive.
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You would need a 3g sim, I've just bought a paygo one from a........n. its a 3 one and cost just over £11 for 3gb of download to be used within 3 months, I can top up online if I need more.
3G tablets do cost more than straightforward wifi ones. Hence i have just bought a mifi dongle which is a transportable router which i can use with my wifi ipad or laptop when out and about.
The 3g sim sounds like it would be the thing for me. Thanks again. :)
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I got a Samsung Galaxy One Note tablet at Christmas, the Wi Fi version. I have a wireless router at home but when I was buying it I was told I could "tether" it to my mobile to access the internet if I couldn't pick up a wireless network but I have not tried that yet.
It also comes with a stylus which allows you to hand write notes but they are converted into text. I have been "training" it to recognise my handwriting and I am getting about 97% accuracy.
The keyboard which "pops up" when necessary is quite good, sensible sized "keys" which respond well to a very light touch.
It has an inbuilt camera and I have used it as a web cam to talk on Skype in addition to being able to take photos and videos. When I spoke to my daughter over Christmas, I found the quality on Skype was much better than my desktop webcam
I have downloaded the Ancestry android version too.
I bought the tablet to use in archives etc. It is not too heavy to carry and I have bought a cover for it in addition to a padded pouch. I have also bought a screensaver film to avoid scratches on the screen. There has been no loss of responsiveness to touch.
I am very pleased with it so far
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There are a few tablets around which are multipurpose ie they can also be transformed into a laptop style but I do believe that they are quite expensive.
I have an Asus TFT300T Tablet Transformer, which has the best of both worlds. It comes apart easily to use as a tablet and then clips back if I want to use it as a mini laptop. Another reason I bought it was because it has a USB port.
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The Samsung Galaxy Note sounds great, just the sort of thing for me. Unfortunately it cost way more than I want to pay. You must have some very generous family or friends Mavals!
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Was a good price at John Lewis plus £50 cash back, brought cost below £300, which I why I chose the Samsung rather than Asus which was almost £400. Santa was very kind!
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Would 3G be needed if btfon was available through my bt broadband? There's pretty good coverage of bt hotspots now (so they say). Isn't 3G the connection through satelllite same as mobile phones?
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Well if you have access to BTFON because you're a BT Broadband customer, then you may not need the 3G side of things. There are also lots of places that have free wifi, such as some pubs, some fast food places, and coffee shops. Many of the hotels do charge for wireless internet access, but often you will find it's free in the bar area (or if you happen to get a room right above the bar!).
The 3G is a signal from the mobile phone masts, it's essentially just a faster connection - as we go further from the masts (say in rural areas), or in congested areas, the signal drops to a different type which although slower than 3G, still give good phone calls (on mobiles) and a more sluggish internet access (on mobiles and tablets).
Obviously the advantage of having a '3G' one is that you don't have to worry about finding somewhere with internet access. The downside is though that the battery will go down quicker, the tablet will cost more in the first place, and you will have to pay for using the 3G data.
For the cost of the data, you'll need to budget between £6 and £15 per month depending on which mobile company you use and the type (Pay as You Go, Pay Monthly, or 12-Month Contract). If you are unsure of the amount of data you will use, to start with just opt for 500Mb (500 Megabyte) or 1Gb (1 Gigabyte) - that will probably be enough for normal web browsing, as long as you are not watching videos on it, downloading music, or doing anything that involves heaps of images. A number of the "pay as you go" 3G cards expire the data allowance after a month (so you'll just lost it).
Naturally, when you have a WiFi signal, the 3G of it is not being used and it won't be eating into the 3G data allowance that you would have.
If the 3G side of things sounds complicated with and all these data plans and costs, then a wifi-only tablet may be the way to go for a simpler and cheaper life. It also gives you the excuse to treat yourself to a coffee to get the wifi access. You can get two or three coffees a month for the cost of a 3G connection.
We have just started using the Google Nexus 7 (https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_7_32gb_hspa) here - we've only had it a couple of days, but it seems great. We opted for the 3G version (and bought a '12Gb over 12 Months' SIM from three.co.uk for £72 or thereabouts). The only reason we went for the 3G version is that we run RootsChat so it's jolly handy to be able to be connected all the time.
Trystan
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That sounds clear enough, thanks Trystan.
I like the sound of the the nexus. And a lot less cash than the ipad.
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Yes, a nice clear explanation, thanks Trystan. :)
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Hi Roobarb, have you purchased a tablet yet?
If not & your mobile phone contract is due for renewal, wander into carphonewarehouse as they had some deals on last month. You could get a free Galaxy 7" tab if you signed up for a basic Galaxy android phone @ £15 per month I think it was.
I did this and it was a useful exercise as it meant I could play with the tablets & phones to see which suited me best. I decided that the 7" was too much of a strain on my eyes so decided on a 10" model.
I didnt do a deal with cpw because I didnt want the galaxy tab nor the basic phone. I ended up at phones 4 u and got a Huawei phone ( no, I couldnt pronounce it either :)) & £200 cashback.
The phone is far better than the basic galaxy andriod phone and I put the cash towards a Nexus 10" tablet which is a great piece of kit.
Worth shopping around for a good deal.
Mike
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Mike, I am absolutely staggered that you posted this now - I am replying on guess what? My brand new tablet which I got YESTERDAY!!!! How spooky is that?!! And even spookier, it`s a Google Nexus! Got the 7 inch, it`s the size I wanted to use as an eBook reader and to fit in my handbag easily (although I don't suppose the second one is an issue for you :-) ) Very pleased with it so far :)
PS, have had my phone for less than a year so not due for renewal for quite a while
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A very good choice Roobarb. I hope you are enjoying it.
There are some very good sites out there that will help you get the most out of your new tablet.
Don't forget to check out the app store and if you haven't already done so, get yourself a google account so you can sync your tablet to your PC and android phone.
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Thanks Mike, I've done those things, got some terrific apps. :) I downloaded App of the Day, it gives a different free app every day and there's some really good ones. I got a jigsaw puzzle one, can't put it down! Got lots of ebooks too, am very pleased with it all. :)
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Roobarb,
Great choice! The Google Nexus Tablets are excellent.
We used three of the Google Nexus 10 tablets at the "Who Do You Think You Are - Live" exhibition this last weekend on the RootsChat.com stand and they worked faultlessly. Even after using them all day almost continuously of Wifi giving demos to people, they all came back each day with between 40% and 60% charge still left on the battery. Brilliant pieces of kit.
I bet you're delighted with it!
Trystan
RootsChat Caretaker
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Glad to know it's so well recommended. :) Before I bought it I asked for advice at a well known computer/electrical retail store, the salesman recommended this one. Must admit I didn't actually buy it there though (tut tut!), but I got a good deal and also a big discount on a cover which are normally quite expensive.
It'll be going down to Kew with me on my forthcoming visit to TNA. :)